Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss row-BUSS-tuh

Common Name: Dypsis White Stem

Dypsis robusta is not only one of the largest of the Dypsis species, but one of the largest of all the Madagascan palms, with an impressively thick trunk and long, plumose leaves. It is a relatively new palm for California, but some are managing to grow it fairly well. As a young palm, it has ornamental, dark green (almost blue-green), wide, curled leaflets (similar somewhat to Dypsis prestoniana, though with a bit more overlap and a non-shiny surface). Several palms in have been in cultivation in California for nearly 20 years in the Darian garden, under the moniker, Dypsis 'White Stem' due to its nearly pure white crownshaft. These plants have been on nearly every palm enthusiasts want list since, but there were simply no source for them until recently when a palm in Hawaii finally flowered. It was not until Dransfield and Marcus described this palm that it was realized, these two massive and intriguing palms were the same thing. It seems to be fairly cold sensitive, so is really only a good choice in mostly frost free climates.

Synonyms: Dypsis White Stem'; Dypsis 'Stumpy'

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary Height: 40' estimate Trunk: 14"-18" thick; nearly 2' thick at the base; grey; fairly closely and markedly ringed Crownshaft: barely incomplete; sometimes consisting of 3-6 leaf bases; 2' tall; quite a bit thicker than trunk below; covered irregularly with white wax, and light orange underneath with some red fuzz in spots Spread: 20' Leaf Description: pinnate; flat though nearly plumose in some juvenile forms; 10'-12' long; somewhat recurved but less so in mature palms; deep green; leaflets very closely spaced along rachis- even overlapping somewhat irregularly as juveniles with a good deal of curl to them then; straighter and less wide leaflets in mature palms, sometimes curled side to side making them look narrower than they are Petiole/Leaf bases: very short; very thick and wide at base; covered in wax; un-split; insides of shed leaf bases can be nearly blood red Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: within leaves; branched to 4 orders; 5' long Fruit: 1/2" thick; nearly spherical; orange

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: unknown Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: unknown Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: seems adaptable so far Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: heavy leaves can injure things below when fall off Disease or Horticultural Problems: none yet Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare